Osprey Press

Osprey Packs, a leader in creating top-quality, high-performance, innovative packs to comfortably and efficiently carry gear, is redesigning their popular Viper and Verve Series for the Spring/ Summer 2016 season, utilizing the Osprey LT Hydraulics™ Reservoir to deliver a lighter, high performance, cycling pack. In addition to the LT reservoir, the series features a streamlined, contemporary design aesthetic as well as an all-new three liter size.

“The Viper and Verve series deliver outstanding functionality in a lightweight, versatile design,” said Cassie Tweed, Director of Design, Osprey Packs. “The introduction of a front, shove-it pocket for the Spring 2016 season increases the range of use for the pack in the larger volumes while the launch of the three liter volume offers a simple solution for riders looking to carry no more than some keys and water.”

The Osprey Atmos 65 AG is our new OutdoorGearLab Editors’ Choice because of its ultra comfortable frame and suspension combined with one of our favorite overall pack designs. Once you put the Atmos 65 AG on you’ll be surprised how evenly the AG or Anti-Gravity suspension spreads the load out to create a fairly even, and pressure point free feel. The AG suspension takes the trampoline style suspension to a new level incorporating not only the entire back panel but also the waist belt that makes the Atmos with loads up to 40-45lbs the best feeling pack in our review. Not only is the Atmos an awesome feeling pack but it features a ton of very user friendly pockets that will keep even the most organizationally driven backpacker happy.

Four days ago, seven climbers and I started our trek toward the Kili summit. We’ve been following the Machame route (also known as the “Whisky Route”) up the mountain’s southern side. It’s a challenging, beautiful trail that begins in monkey-filled tropical rainforest, moves through moorland and alpine desert, and dead-ends at the summit’s glaciers…But climbing Kili is something I’ve wanted to do for more than a decade, and I’m betting I’ve got the gear, guides, and training to make it work.

Osprey Sirrus 24: There is no such thing as a perfect daypack, but this one ­with a frame that feels like it’s giving you a hug comes pretty close. It holds more than you’d think, though I’ll admit, another outside pocket or two would make it perfect.

Elbert Hubbard, an early-1900s writer, philosopher, anarchist, socialist, wrote, in 1914, “From the tip top of Mount Washburn you can see the world in much of its glory. It is an entrancing view. You are in love with living. You want to do more of if. You plan to do big things when you get down into the work again.” Bold words…

When we took it on with Traci Weaver, from the park’s Public Affairs team, I felt generous and told everyone I’d carry water, snacks, spare jackets, cameras, knives, shackets, whatever, in the Osprey Atmos AG 65, for the short 2.25-mile hike (which ascends 1,491 feet). The Atmos AG dropped earlier this year and has been reviewed as a five-star-ranked Editors’ Choice by OutdoorGearLab, an Editors’ Choice from Backpacker, and something we called “groundbreaking” on early tests.

The Exos 58 is an amazing light pack that is similar in design to Osprey’s Atmos series, just lighter. At 2 lbs 8 oz the Exos is the lightest weight pack in our review and one of the lightest packs that has a real frame. It has many great features and felt slightly bigger than its 58 liters would suggest. It is great for backpackers and trekkers as well as alpine climbers and mountaineers. For people traveling cross country, they might want a tougher pack, but for most hikers and backpackers who do the majority of there trips on trails, we think they will be perfectly happy with the Exos’s durability. The Exos frame isn’t flimsy and carries surprisingly well considering its weight.